ABSTRACT
Biodegradable polymers cover a large area of high molecular weight compounds. These are used in packaging, agriculture, medicine, and other areas. In recent years, there has been an increase in interest in biodegradable polymers. Two classes of biodegradable polymers can be distinguished: synthetic or natural polymers. There are polymers produced from feedstocks derived either from petroleum resources (non-renewable resources) or from biological resources (renewable resources). In general, natural polymers offer fewer advantages than synthetic polymers. The following review presents an overview of the different biodegradable polymers that are currently being used and their properties, as well as new developments in their synthesis and applications.
Presently consumers have attached little or no added value to biodegrad-ability; thus, forcing the industry to face the challenge to lower down the cost as compared to familiar products. In addition, no suitable infrastructure for the disposal of non-biodegradable materials is available to the desired extent. As a result, biodegradable materials are the need of the day.
